This spring brought more than just flowers. While "April showers" are expected, this year's storms brought high water levels that caused flooding, resulting in extended closures, water damage, and debris along our riverfront, including our park facilities.

Despite the challenges, we're incredibly proud to share that vehicle traffic on the riverfront was restored less than a week after the waters began to recede. This was no small task; our city crews, DOC teams, ETC Systems Inc., volunteer firefighters, and Pike's Tree Care worked long hours clearing mud, debris, and driftwood to make the area safe and accessible.

Meanwhile, cleanup and repair work is still underway at our riverfront park facilities. Our teams are focused on reopening Crystal Beach Aquatic Park and the riverfront campground in time for Memorial Day weekend. Hargan Matthews and Damon Welch Parks will take additional time but remain a priority in our restoration efforts.

We want to thank the many individuals, businesses, and organizations who provided meals, snacks, and support for our cleanup crews during this time. Your generosity lifted spirits and helped fuel the physical work needed to restore these spaces for our community.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of our residents and visitors as we continue this recovery process. Our team is committed to ensuring that our parks, riverfront, and public spaces are safe, welcoming, and ready for a summer full of activity.

BREAKING GROUND ON THE RESIDENCES AT SUNRISE CROSSING

In March, we broke ground on The Residences at Sunrise Crossing, the first major housing initiative in the City in over 30 years. The Residences, located behind the Shoppes at Sunrise Crossing on Madison's hilltop, will consist of 192 new workforce housing units (AMI-based rent) and will include a playground, bike and pedestrian access, public art, and site lighting.

ZAXBY'S OPENING SOON

Zaxby's is set to open at the Shoppes at Sunrise Crossing on the hilltop in August 2025. Southern Indiana business partners Todd and Jerry Ayers and Rob Disney are expanding their footprint with their fifth location, bringing Zaxby's signature Chicken Fingerz, wings, Zalads, and sauces to our community. 

Follow @ChickenAyresSouthernIndianaZaxbys for updates!

WELCOME, TIMELESS LIVE

On March 31, we joined community members and the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the opening of Madison's newest live music venue, Timeless Live. 

Learn more about the space and see their event lineup by visiting their website, timeless-live.com.

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVE



In March, Mayor Bob Courtney joined Walnut Street Fire Company #4 to recognize three dedicated firefighters who have served the community for over 50 years.

Frank Taft (since June 6, 1974), Charles McKay (since July 4, 1974), and William "Bill" Poindexter (since October 3, 1974) were honored with a Distinguished Citizen Proclamation for their commitment to protecting our community and their positive contributions to the Walnut Street fire Company #4 and the City of Madison Fire Department.

Founded in 1873, Walnut Street Fire Company has a long tradition of service, from hand-drawn hose reels to modern emergency response. Today's firefighters undergo extensive training and serve in various capacities, even after decades of involvement. These three honorees exemplify that dedication, remaining active in supporting fireground operations and emergency response.

WELCOMING NEW OFFICERS

In April, Mayor Bob Courtney swore in four new officers to the Madison Police Department. Officers Charles Alton, Coley Arvin, Jeremiah Douglas, and Nathen Hobbs officially took their oaths of service, committing to protect and serve the Madison community.

Join us in welcoming these new officers to our team!

TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK

In April, we celebrated National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week! It was the perfect time to recognize the unsung heroes behind the scenes—our incredible dispatchers. These dedicated professionals are the calm, steady voices guiding us through some of the most critical moments of our lives.

To show our appreciation, Mayor Bob Courtney visited the Troy D. Morgan Public Safety Center with some sweet treats for the dispatch team’s tireless efforts.

Thank you for all you do to serve our community!

CONGRATULATIONS MAYOR COURTNEY

Join us in congratulating Mayor Bob Courtney, Class of 1981, on his induction into the MCHS Alumni Hall of Fame in April!

A lifelong Madisonian, Mayor Courtney has made a lasting impact through his leadership, community investment, and dedication to preserving and improving his hometown. From holding the school record in the 1600m run to earning the 2025 Sagamore of the Wabash, his journey reflects a deep commitment to excellence and service.

We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor for someone who continues to give so much back to Madison!

READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK

In celebration of Read Across America Week (March 2-6), Mayor Bob Courtney and Officers Jared Sweet and Jordan Perry visited our local elementary schools to share the joy of reading with students!

Encouraging a love for reading at a young age helps build a strong foundation for lifelong learning, and we're grateful for the opportunity to support our local schools and students. Special thanks to the teachers, staff, and volunteers who made this week so special!

Government Day with the Mayor's Eagles

Last week, we welcomed the Lydia Middleton Elementary Mayor’s Eagles for Government Day—a hands-on experience that gave students an inside look at how Madison operates.

The day began at Madison Regional Airport, where students learned about PHI Air Medical and the airport’s regional impact. They then visited Madison Railroad to explore freight’s role in our economy and learn about rail safety.

At the City TSO, they saw how essential services like trash, recycling, and maintenance are managed. The tour continued at the Madison Police Department, where students met Chief Scudder and team to learn about public safety.

They also visited Brown Gym to discover its 100-year history, and wrapped up at City Hall with pizza and a Q&A session with Mayor Bob Courtney.

The Madison Parks and Recreation team is gearing up for a busy summer with plenty of activities for everyone! T-Ball, Baseball, and Softball leagues are starting this month, along with our cheer program. We're also offering a variety of summer camps, including science, dance, pickleball, and cheer.

The First Tee Program at Sunrise Golf Course will be in full swing, helping kids develop their golf skills. Plus, we'll soon be offering swim lessons for those looking to improve their water skills.



And don't forget about the return of Mayor's Movies in the Park. It will be a great season ahead with so many activities to enjoy! 

Make a splash with us!

Aquatic program registration is open! From swim lessons for all ages to various water fitness classes and pool passes for the whole family — there's something for everyone to enjoy this summer.

Check out all we offer, find all the details on our new water fitness program, and register today at madison-in.gov/crystalbeach.

Join us for our first Mayor's Movie in the Park of the summer! "Hoosiers" will be showing on the big screen at Bicentennial Park on Friday, May 23. The movie starts at dusk, with food trucks opening at 6:30 PM.

This is a free, family-friendly event thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.